ARCADIA, Calif. - Candy Boy stamped himself as the top contender for the Grade I Santa Anita Derby when he overpowered two well-regarded Bob Baffert trainees to win the $200,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes Saturday at Santa Anita Park.

Jockey Gary Stevens steered Candy Boy, a son of Candy Ride, around the early leaders as he made a 4-wide move into the stretch to win by half a length over Chitu, who was making his first try around two turns for Baffert.

The final time was a good 1:41.83 for 1 1/16 miles over a fast track.

Candy Boy, trained by John Sadler, earned 10 points in the Road to the Derby standings, which will help determine the starting field for the Kentucky Derby if more than 20 horses are entered.

Baffert’s other runner, 6-5 favorite Midnight Hawk, faded in the final sixteenth of a mile and finished third in the field of seven 3-year-olds.

Sadler said Candy Boy would stay in Southern California for his next start.

Candy Boy paid $6.60, $3.20, and $2.20. Chitu, a $300,000 son of Henny Hughes who was unbeaten in two starts at 6 furlongs, returned $5 and $3 in an impressive stakes debut. Sham Stakes winner Midnight Hawk paid $2.10 to show. SAN ANTONIO STAKES Blingo stuns Dude

Blingo rallied as heavily favored Game On Dude flamed out in the $300,000 San Antonio Stakes Saturday at Santa Anita .

Game On Dude, a 7-year-old, battled speedy Blueskiesnrainbows through swift quarter mile fractions of :22.75, :46.25, and 1:10.17 on a fast track. By the time they reached the far turn, they were engaged by long shot Imperative, ridden by Kent Desormeaux, who challenged at the rail and Majestic Harbor ranged up on the outside.

Blingo, ridden by Aaron Gryder, found room to the inside of Majestic Harbor to challenge for the lead in upper stretch. Blingo and Imperative separated themselves in the drive as the others fell away. Blingo, under left-handed urging on the outside, prevailed by half a length at odds of 15-1 over a game Imperative, a 25-1 chance. The final time was a solid 1:47.95.

Show payoffs were dramatic with heavily favored Game On Dude out of the money.

Blingo paid $33.80, $11.40, and $27.20, while Imperative returned $12.20 and $22.40. American Blend, off at 19-1, finished 4 1/4 lengths farther back in third and paid $25.80 to show.

Sports, Pages 33 on 02/09/2014